Container with tray and side opening closure



Jan 9, 1968 J. M. BROOKS 3,362,611

CONTAINER WITH TRAY AND SIDE OPENING CLOSURE Filed June s, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m/VE/Yme Jew/Y M Be oaks Arron/er J. M. BROOKS 3,362,611

CONTAINER WITH TRAY AND SIDE OPENING CLOSURE Jan. 9, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1965 l QQ 93 United States Patent 3,362,611 CONTAINER WITH TRAY AND SIDE OPENING CLOSURE John M. Brooks, Box 65-A, Rte. 3, Paulding County, near Douglasville, Ga. 30134 Filed June 8, 1965, Ser. No. 462,327 12 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) This invention relates to a container with tray and side opening closure and particularly to a box of the sort which is made from a blank into a closed container which is opened and re-closed by moving a portion of the container about a longitudinal hinge line and which container is particularly suited for cigarettes or cigars and the like.

Certain items, such as cigarettes, cigars and even pencils, chalk, welding rods, and in fact numerous items, are packaged in boxes from which they are usually removed one or two at a time and then the box is re-closed for future use. So-called soft containers are made from more flexible paper and the like and this type of container when used as a cigarette package is usually opened at the top and not reclosed. However, many people prefer harder containers and like to have the content completely closed except perhaps for a small exit from which one cigarette or other item may be removed. It is to this generala rran'gement and subject matter that the present invention is directed.

It is worthwhile to note that the present container is generally adapted and lends itself to be folded from a substantially flat blank which may be die-cut and from which the present container and tray is evolved by a folding operation which lends itself to automatic machinery.

Generally described, without restriction on the scope of my invention, since there are at least two embodiments presented herein, the generic invention is a box that is normally closed by at least one movable closure member which'includes a portion of the cover of the box separable along the longitudinal direction thereof and hinged along the side of the box and having end members which fold to a position along the ends of the box and fold in opening to a position substantially removed therefrom. The opposite ends of the container are created by folding the end tabs upwardly from the bottom and one of the end members is reduced in width to provide an opening through which the product may be removed without moving the main closure member. The main closure member isformed from the basic blank by bending over an open bottom member to provide a movable cover closure attached along one of the elongated sides of the box. A tray is constructed from a flat blank on which side and end tabs are bent to form a three dimensional open tray that fits into the open bottom of the box and beneath the cover. If desired, one end of the tray is reduced in height providing an opening through which cigarettes or the like may be removed without opening the cover on the box. In addition, a triangular section is folded on the end of the tray from the bottom of the outside providing diagonal edges against which the cover may fold.

In a modified form of the box, only one side is openable as opposed to the opening of both sides of the cover in another embodiment and the tray having different tab arrangement folds to provide only three sides and the fourth side being unnecessary beneath the rigid side of the cover.

A primaryobject of this invention is to provide a box foldable from a flat blank and having a movable cover portion thereon with a tray therein for protecting the contents such as cigarettes and the like.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a box which may be made from hard material and having a cover which may be moved along an elongated hinge line to expose the length of the contents and to open them at the top and optionally to have an opening on one end which contents may be removed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive container and tray arrangement to be used as a cigarette package and the like.

An additional object of this invention resides in the arrangement of the flat blank from which the outside of the box is made and which has the movable cover closure portion stamped and cut in the flat blank and assembled in place by a folding operation which may be done by machine.

An additional object of this invention resides in the combination of a hard box having a movable cover portion and a tray beneath the cover.

Another object of this invention is to provide a box and tray combination having the outside foldable from a flat blank to provide the hinge to cover which extends the length of the box and also having portion of one end open with the tray from which the contents may be removed without opening the cover.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the flat blank from which the outside of one embodiment is constructed by folding same.

FIG. 2 is one step in the evolution of the folding of the outside of the box from the blank shown in FIG. 1 and with the dotted lines in FIG. 2 representing the position of the blank in FIG. 1 from which the solid line portions are folded.

FIG. 3 is another step in the evolution of the folding of the outside of the box from the blank shown in FIG. 1 and with one of the sides of the cover in place.

FIG. 4 is a plan View of the flat blank from which the tray is folded and with the dashed lines representing fold lines.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the complete and assembled device with the two cover closure members completely open.

FIG. 6 is a flat plan view of a flat blank from which the outside and cover of a modified form of the blank is constructed.

FIG. 7 is a step in the evolution of the folding of the outside and cover of the box of FIG. 6 from the position shown in FIG. 6 and with certain dotted lines representing the position from which the solid line members are folded.

FIG. 8 is still another step in the evolution of the folding of the box from FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the flat blank from which the tray is folded.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the complete and assembled box with a tray and with the cover closure fully open.

Referring initially to the embodiment of a box shown in FIG. 1, a flat blank designated generally by reference numeral 10 comprises generally two portions A and B which are separated by fold lines designated as equal length dashes and all of which is constructed preferably by die-cutting a blank from a fiat sheet of hard material such as cardboard, to score at the same time the fold lines and to eliminate certain fully removed portions as will hereinafter appear.

Part A is the ultimate outside bottom of the box and includes the flat bottom 12 having opposed score lines a spaced from other parallel score lines I) and separated by means of a score line c from a triangular end tab 14. Side members 16, 18, which are defined on one side by the scored fold lines a, b, each has a respective end tab 20, 22, on one end and a similar end tab 24, 26 on the other end.

The cover enclosure portion B includes a pair of closure members 28, 30 separated along a severed line d and separated along scored lines e from what is ultimately a side, respectively of the box but attached with the movable cover and each respective side identified as 32, 34. Tabs 36, 38 are separated from and connected to respective members 28, 30, by means of scored fold lines 1. The tabs 24, 26 are completely free of the portion B separated by severed lines g. Members 28, 30 of B are separated from A by means of almost triangular portions 40, 42 defining an open triangular portion 44.

The tray which is identified generally and overall by reference numeral 50 in complete and assembled condition, is shown as a fiat blank in FIGURE 4 and com prises a bottom or central portion 52 which is somewhat rectangular according to the definition by fold lines It at the top and bottom and i at the sides. The upstanding end portions of the tray 50, designated respectively at 54, 56, comprise respective tabs 58, 60 and 62, 64, which are separated from other corner tabs 66, 68 and 70, 72.

As readily seen in FIG. 5, the end member 54 has a triangular indenture or notch '76 therein which ultimately becomes an opening in the end of the box through which cigarettes or other product may be removed without Opening the cover. By folding each of the tabs 58, 60 and 66, 68, as Well as the tabs 70, '72 and 62, 64, upwardly into substantial vertical position, and overlapping respective tabs 58, 66, 6t 68; 62, 70; and 72, 64, and gluing them together in the area where one is superimposed over the other, a rigid open tray 50 is created as seen in FIG. 5. This tray is then placed on the bottom 12 of the cover portion 10 and glued in between the bottom 52 thereof and the top of the bottom member 12 on blank 10.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, only one closure portion of the cover moves, the other portion being rigid and forming a permanent closure portion of the box. The flat blank in FIG. 6 is designated generally and overall by reference numeral 101) and comprises generally three portions initially, C, D, and E. Portion C ultimately becomes the sides and part of the permanent top or cover, portion D is mainly the bottom and ends, and portion E ultimately is primarily the movable cover closure member.

Portion D includes the bottom 162 having opposite end tabs identified as follows: permanent end tabs 164, 106 separated by slitted lines j from triangular connective tabs 108, 116 which are separated by fold lines k from a side member 112 which is attached by a fold line I to a permanent top panel 114 to which is attached attachment panels 116, 118 that are separated from panel 114 by means of fold lines 111. A triangular portion 118 has been removed from the blank 100 between the tabs 108 and the panels 116.

Bottom 102 also include top closure end panels 120 separated by severed lines 122 which extend on into a separate bottom panel 123 that is separated by spaced fold lines It and 0. Bottom 162 and panel 123 are separated from the top, movable closure member E and connected along fold line to a closure panel end member 124 connected by a fold line p through atop closure panel 126 having opposed end members 128 on each end thereof separated by fold lines q. Panels 128 are separated from small intermediate connective tabs 130, of triangular construction, which bend along continuations of the fold lines q and are separated by means of severed lines r from panels 128. Small cuts 125 extend from lines 122.

The tray, designated generally and overall by reference numeral 140 in FIG. 10, is constructed from a flat blank shown in FIG. 9 which comprises a tray bottom 142 of generally rectangular construction having edges 144 along the longitudinal direction, and the end edges 146. Corner tabs on two of the corners designated generally as 148, 150 comprise small tabs 152, 154 on one corner and similar tabs 156, 158 on the other corner. Tabs 156, 158 are separated by means of a slitted line s and tabs 152, 154 are separated in the same manner. Also, the tabs 152, 154, 156, 158 are separated and defined by respective fold lines 2? from the bottom panel 142. Panel bottom 142 has an end 160 on one end which is [a complete rectangle and closes the entire end but the other end has a small panel member 162 which is discontinuous along an irregular edge 164 to provide the product opening shown in FIG. 10.

It is to be noted that in both of the embodiments shown herein, an outer wrap or overwrap (not shown) of any conventional construction may be used, For example, the boxes after packaging may be overwrapped with cellophane or plastic film provided with the usual conventional tear-tab device commonly found on cigarette packages and gum packages. Or, if preferred, tape may be used along the edges and to cover selected openings according to the preference of the manufacturer.

While I have shown and described a generic invention together with two embodiments or specie thereof, this is by way of illustration only and does not constitute any sort of limitations on my invention. since various alterations, changes, eliminations, deviations, ramifications, departures and revisions may be made in the invention shown and described without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a container box and tray combination for holding a plurality of stacked items such as cigarettes or the like, said box being folded from a fiat box blank, comprising:

(a) a bottom box portion comprising sides and ends and a fiat bottom,

(b) a pair of closure members extending longitudinally of the box and each having an inner edge extending longitudinally and down the ends of the container to the bottom thereof and one being hinged along one edge thereof to one side of the box and folding inwardly toward each other and meeting along a line intermediate the Width of the box,

(0) and a tray having sides thereon and mounted on the box bottom.

2. In a container box and tray combination for holding a plurality of stacked items such as cigarettes or the like, said box being folded from a flat box blank, comprising:

(a) a bottom box portion comprising sides and ends and a flat bottom,

(b) one of said ends having an opening therein through which product may be removed without opening the box,

(c) a pair of closure members extending longitudinally of the box and each having an inner edge extending longitudinally and down the ends of the container to the bottom thereof and one being hinged along one edge thereof to one side of the box and folding inwardly toward each other and meeting along a line intermediate the width of the box.

(d) and a tray having sides thereon and mounted on the box bottom.

6 I 3. In a container box and tray combination for holding a plurality of stacked items such as cigarettes or the like, said box being folded from a flat box blank, comprising:

(a) a bottom box portion comprising sides and ends and a flat bottom,

(b) said ends being formed from tabs on each of the ends of the two sides and one end having an opening therein through which product may be removed without opening the box,

(c) a pair of closure members extending longitudinally of the box and each having an inner edge extending longitudinally and down the ends of the container to the bottom thereof and one being hinged along one edge thereof to one side of the box and folding inwardly toward each other and meeting along a line intermediate the width of the box,

(d) and a tray having sides thereon and mounted on the box bottom.

4. In a container box and tray combination for holding a plurality of stacked items such as cigarettes or the like, said box being folded from a flat box blank, comprising:

(a) a bottom box portion comprising up standing sides and ends and a flat bottom,

(h) each of said ends comprising two tabs connected to and extending inwardly from each end of the sides,

(c) a pair of closure members extending longitudinally of the box and each having an inner edge extending longitudinally and down the ends of the container to the bottom thereof and one being hinged along one edge thereof to one side of the box and folding inwardly toward each other and meeting along a line intermediate the width of the box,

((1) and a tray having sides thereon and mounted on the box bottom.

5. The device in claim 4 wherein said closure members have tabs therein which are superposed on respective end tabs and attached thereto.

6. The device in claim 5 wherein said closure members are connected at one end and have side panels that are superposed over the sides.

7. In a container box and tray combination for holding a plurality of stacked items such as cigarettes or the like, said box being folded from a flat box blank, comprising:

(a) a bottom box portion comprising sides and ends,

a flat bottom and a partial top closure panel connected to one side,

(b) said ends having sloped edges supenposed over end panels extending upwardly from the bottom,

(c) a closure member extending longitudinally of the box being hinged along one edge thereof to one side of the box and having an inner edge extending longitudinally and down the ends of the container to the bottom thereof and folding inwardly toward the fixed top panel meeting along a line intermediate the width of the box,

(d) and a tray having sides thereon and mounted on the box bottom.

8. The device in claim 7, wherein said closure member includes a side panel connected to the side of the box and movable thereagainst.

9. The device in claim 8, wherein said sloped ends are complementary with sloped panels on the ends of said closure.

10. A box blank from which a box exterior is folded and which may be made from a fiat sheet of material by die-cutting and indicating fold lines, comprising:

(a) a blank consisting of generally two sections connected together, one section representing the permanent bottom and at least portions of the sides and ends and the other section representing the top of the box and including the movable closure therewith,

(b) the bottom portion having a bottom panel thereon and having side panels attached thereto to be folded along lines therebetween upwardly into vertical sides,

(0) corner tab members foldable to an upright position on each end,

(d) and connecting members on one end between the closure section and the bottom section,

(e) side panels on said closure section foldable over said sides and attachable therewith,

(f) and top closure panels separate along the center line and attached to a respective side panel.

11. A box blank from which a box exterior is folded and which may be made from a flat sheet of material by die-cutting and indicating fold lines, comprising:

(a) a blank consisting of generally three sections connected together, one section representing the permanent bottom and at least portions of the sides and ends and the second section representing the fixed top of the box and the third section having the movable closure therewith,

('b) the bottom portion having a bottom panel thereon and having end panels attached thereto to be folded along lines therebetween upwardly into end members,

(c) corner tab members on said second section foldable to an upright position about the end panels,

(d) a side panel on said second section connected to the bottom and foldable upright into a side member,

(e) a top closure panel on said second section foldable over the top and having end tabs foldable over the ends and attachable thereto,

(f) a side panel on the other side of the bottom and on said third section and having end tabs therebetween vertically positionable on end members,

(g) said third section having a side panel and top panel and end panels attachable to make a movable top closure.

12. The device in claim 1, wherein one of said closure members is immovably fixed to said box portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,308,384 1/1943 OBrien 229-23 2,324,436 7/1943 Snyder 20645.11 2,950,060 8/1960 Von Rudeen 22944 2,992,766 7/ 1961 Guyer 22944 3,027,002 3/1962 Letourneur 22944 FOREIGN PATENTS 460,157 10/ 1935 Great Britain.

DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Examiner.

R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner, 

1. IN A CONTAINER BOX AND TRAY COMBINATION FOR HOLDING A PLURALITY OF STACKED ITEMS SUCH AS CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE, SAID BOX BEING FOLDED FROM A FLAT BOX BLANK, COMPRISING: (A) A BOTTOM BOX PORTION COMPRISING SIDES AND ENDS AND A FLAT BOTTOM, (B) A PAIR OF CLOSURE MEMBERS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF THE BOX AND EACH HAVING AN INNER EDGE EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY AND DOWN THE ENDS OF THE CONTAINER TO THE BOTTOM THEREOF AND ONE BEING HINGED ALONG ONE EDGE THEREOF TO ONE SIDE OF THE BOX AND FOLDING INWARDLY TOWARD EACH OTHER AND MEETING ALONG A LINE INTERMEDIATE THE WIDTH OF THE BOX, (C) AND A TRAY HAVING SIDES THEREON AND MOUNTED ON THE BOX BOTTOM. 